Skies of Arcadia | Review & Retrospective
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- Released on the Dreamcast in 2000, Skies of Arcadia is the definition of 'cult classic'. A 2003 GameCube re-release failed to expand the game's popularity outside of a small but loyal fanbase - and 'loyal' is the operative word here. Decades may have passed, but Skies of Arcadia is still considered to be an underappreciated treasure by many. Let's dive in and see how it stacks up.
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This video was recorded on the Dolphin & Redream emulators at close to native settings as possible for the sake of visual & audio clarity. Any time objective statements are made in regards to video/audio, said statements were verified by me on the authentic hardware. I've played through the intro to this game about 10 times in order to catch the differences and make comparisons. If I even SUSPECTED a difference in quality was the result of emulator-related imperfections, I chose to not include it in my script.
00:00 - A Brief History of the Dreamcast
4:00 - A Brief History of Arcadia
9:53 - Version Differences
15:27 - Introduction to Arcadia
23:59 - World & Characters
33:36 - Exploration
40:36 - Combat & Dungeons
55:52 - Presentation
1:01:45 - SPOILER SECTION BEGINS
1:02:11 - Marooned
1:09:24 - Home Base, Crew & Side Activities
1:21:58 - Facing the Unknown
1:34:02 - Countdown to Extinction
1:44:43 - Conclusion
1:46:37 - Credits/Patron Q&A - Hry
Never played this game nor have any interest in it but I'm going to watch this all and still some how be nostalgic for it, such is the power of Majuular.
Same haha
Here, here!
Same
This right here. Dude makes me love games I've never even cared about 😂
Why are the top comments on most CZcams videos clearly written by idiots? 🤔
I have to say I had no idea who Rieko Kodama was until today. I like her art a lot. I am not someone to cry easily but hearing she passed away last year affected me deeply. I'm glad we got what we did from her, and she seemed to enjoy what she did. Thanks for the video.
For real I was like who is this boss whats her twitter can i go say thank you then boom, 9:30. Damn dude.
Yeah I have never cried so fast
Tales of Symphonia and Skies of Arcadia: Legends were the two RPGs that made up my formative years. Imagine my surprise that a youtuber has made a long form video retrospective on not one, but BOTH of those games.
My heart will always have a soft spot for SoA:L, warts and all. I won't lie, I teared up a couple of moments seeing you enjoy the parts of the game I fell in love with all those years ago.
Thank you for this video. You really did this game justice.
I loved those along with Dragon Quest 8, Star Ocean 3 and Baten Kaitos.
These were my introduction into JRPGs beyond watching older siblings play FF, born 1996 was able to pick up both on gamecube 2003-2005 and these formed a huge part of my childhood. Great games, great video, great time all around. Hope our kids have something half as fun.
Big up to the ngc generation !!
Grandia and Breath of Fire 3 for me. Legend of Dragoon as well.
“The best time to play to play skies of Arcadia was when you were a kid. The second best time is right now.”
That hit hard. Well said & written. I had both the Dreamcast & GameCube as a kid, but somehow missed this delight. I did end up with both the Dreamcast & GameCube versions of Sonic Adventure tho 🤣
I first played this game when I was a kid in a form of a backseat gaming because back then my older brother played it for me. But he never finished it and I never knew the ending.
Until I grew up to my late teens and replayed the game once again from the beginning.
It was such a different experience. I was no longer afraid of going through the Valua area (since it's one of the darkest areas in the game) so I can proceed further.
Finishing the game feels unreal, as it was the first time I feel a game that is truly a complete package.
One of my wishes in my life probably is to experience the game again just like the first time I play it.
My condolences, shame you had to endure that mess of a sonic game. 😢
Skies of Arcadia was my first true JRPG, and it's one of the best introductions to the genre I could name.
@AndrewTime9106 I hope you got a chance to play either Skies of Arcadia or Tales of Symphonia. Both have amazing stories made more impactful by playing them instead of watching on CZcams.
Skies of Arcadia was easily one of my favorite games from my teenage years. Picked it up used when I was in high school for pretty cheap but it truly was a lovely gem that I replayed at least 2-3 times. Thanks for covering this game!
With regard to "simple stories", what a lot of people tend to forget is that the complex stories that subvert a lot of archetypes wouldn't even exist without the work that the simple stories did before them. Popular tropes exist for a reason. Games that deconstruct those tropes are necessarily never as timeless as the simple stories that stick to archetypal themes.
Doing tropes well is often times better than wracking ones brain trying to find ways to circumvent them. You don't want a story to be nothing but cliche's and tropes, but if you're constantly trying to think of ways around them, then you're never gonna finish whatever it is you're working on. :P
You also run the risk of your story becoming hella convoluted.
Except for Kojima's
@@NeoShameMan especially kojima
@@Bloodyshinta1 explain the enduring success of mgs 2, vs whatever splinter cell story ever was
@@NeoShameMan metal gear solid? the game where they stole Kurt Russel likeness then even named the character snake after him? lmfao the bastion of originality for sure
Skies of Arcadia is up there as one of my favorite JRPGs, along with Xenogears and Star Ocean 2, so I'm glad Maj is giving it some love.
But they aged terribly no?
@@luluna5228 Xenogears has not aged terribly
@@FeiXenogears second disk is wack and the combat is spammy bad
i´ve missed all 3, poor little me...
@@luluna5228 still awesome
I've never heard of Rieko Kodama before, but your acknowledgements to her and praise, made me teary.
I've recently found your channel, I adore the way you're able to bring across not just a detailed analysis of mechanics, development, game design and story.
You also bring across the spirit of the people that created these works and I feel the admiration you have come across in your presentation.
I borrowed legends years ago from a friend and played it all the way through and had forgotten most of the fine details about it but when you played the clip of Vyse saying "Moonstone Cannon, Fire!" it awakened a primal feeling inside me that is hard to explain.
Fire consume my enemies! Lambda Burst!
I'm always so happy to see people acknowledge just what Phoenix Rie managed to do during her career, Phantasy Star's original series is absolutely one of the most fundamental gaming experiences of my childhood, and her touch is all over it, so much of the aesthetics, presentation, and magic of the classic PS series has etched a permanent mark on my tastes, let alone the number of other games I grew up with that I never knew she contributed to until decades later. Skies of Arcadia is definitely one of them, we really did lose an absolute creative powerhouse in her passing.
I wish Sega would spare us from their never ending stream of mediocre Sonic games for 5 minutes and give us a modern port of Skies of Arcadia.
I'm only 7 minutes into this video and I want to cry. The passing of Rieko Kodama was a blow. Skies of Arcadia is my happy place. I saw an ad for the game in Dreamcast magazine and begged my Mom for it just because the art was cool, and it has stuck with me all these years later. Looking forward to watching the rest of your video. Thanks
Skies of Arcadia is the only game that even comes close to the amazing feeling of adventure Grandia gives me. I still like Grandia better overall, but Skies of Arcadia is right on it's heels. If it had ever gotten a sequel, I imagine we'd still be getting new "Skies of" games today.
Had skies and grandia II for dreamcast. I like skies for a lot of things but grandia II has the best fighting system for a turn based rpg ive ever seen.
@@AA-vl3gu Man Grandia 2 is so far below Grandia, it basically doesnt deserve to carry the same name. Its a good game but far from a masterpiece, which Grandia definitely is. And Skies of Arcadia Legends is... i wouldnt say close but also a really good game.
@@CoNteMpTone Huh. I might give Grandia 1 a shot then. I played Grandia 2 and loved the battle system, but the story was only decent.
Sooo... Grandia I'm guessing is a bit better, at least.
@@hariman7727 Grandia 2 has a very similar battle system as grandia 1 but exactly as you say, the story and characters and world and everything, even the graphics, are only "pretty good."
I still like the game but when it comes to grandia 1, in my opinion its easily one of the top 3 JRPGs of all time. Maybe the best (puh its tough to say...)
Its definitely the rpg i felt most connected to the characters and the world. Please comment here once you played it ; )
@@CoNteMpTone I can't purchase Grandia 1 right now. I bought Grandia 2 because it was a dueling game with Skies, but I gotta eat/pay rent, so I'll try to remember to come back here once I can buy it and have time to play.
I also need to finish other games first, like Crosscode and Metro: Last Light.
Man, you ain't lying, a lot of the games you cover just haven't turned into long standing series. It's pretty crazy how many good games just don't catch on but get these in-depth reviews that just blow some of their contemporaries out of the water.
I know it's a late comment and I just found your channel 3 days ago. But Hot damn do I hope your Channel keeps going strong. Your work deserves it.
Given how many games that _have_ been turned into series have ended up going so badly downhill I think I'm okay with SoA never getting any sequels. It died a dignified death surrounded by its loved ones and has avoided being unearthed by ghoulish gravedigging publishers desperate for a quick injection of cash from a known IP. I can only hope I go out like that.
@@Shenaldrac that's not a bad way of looking at it. But the thoughts of what might have been or could still be too come is always a tantalizing thought.
Man, what a nostalgia trip watching this was. I'm not sure why but I remembered the Crescent Isle segment being much later in the game than it actually was. I also didn't remember how bad the random battles were, but that could be just as easily chalked up to my mind blocking out the trauma.
It's a shame it never got a sequel, especially considering Kodama had expressed interest in one and they even started on one that never went anywhere. I'm still holding out hope for a return to the series, or at the very least a modern remaster of it, even just an emulation with Nintendo Online if they ever decide to bring in Gamecube game.
Great work as always, and already looking forward to the next one!
It's funny - when I saw the title my first thought was, "God, I loved this game despite the patience-testing and occasionally wildly unbalanced random battles." The grey blobs that would relentlessly show up in groups of four and spam the "chance to insta-kill all party members," that you encounter long before you get the item that makes you immune to insta-kill might be the worst I've ever encountered in any video game. Still easy top 20 favourite of all time for me.
This has been my favorite game of all time since I first touched it some 20 years ago. I'm 30 now. I've completed it 9 times, and nothing has come close. I'm still holding out hope we get a HD remaster someday because I want others to experience it
I might look up emulator and patches
I played this game in high school and it consumed my life along with some other rpgs you’ve gone over. So much nostalgia watching Your extensive coverage of Jrpgs from my teenage years makes me super nostalgic for this era. There’s a lot to play from the golden age. Keep the reviews coming. I’m excited to watch what you’re gonna put out in the future.
Majuular has the unique quality to his videos where he can make you feel nostalgic about anything he covers, even when you have no memories with it. I knew nothing about Skies of Arcadia other than it being a Dreamcast game, but I felt that feeling of familiarness (for lack of a better word) when watching this video.
Genuinely amazed at your ability to crank these out so fast. Most people would take a half a year break after a 3 hour video. Keep it up.
He wants the CZcams €¥$£
@@MrBreakthewalls Nah, he's just used to cranking it 😏
@@trustytrest I know, it was for the joke
ambition? passion? talent?
all of the above?!
only walrus knows..
Rest in peace Rieko Kodama, rest in power! We love you and your art and storytelling!
I remember playing this game on our Dreamcast way back in the day. I found the game to be a lot of fun, and have vivid memories specifically of the "Cast Away" part where you're trapped on a sky island.
Knocked it out of the park. You might not review a lot of games, but all your reviews are 10/10. Going to watch this now, then put it on auto play to run in the back ground as I fall asleep to your luscious voice.
Really enjoying the artwork and aesthetic in this game, makes me want to emulate it with texture filtering off to properly appreciate the texture work!
I'm surprised there are no sequels. I played this as a child and was blown away how good it was.
watching this video feeds my soul. it's like playing it all over again. few games are so literally my metaphysical Happy Place the way Skies of Arcadia is. it really is just a manifestation of adventure and joy.
That conclusion...god, you have one of the best channels I've ever seen in my life.
I really appreciate that, thank you!
Your ability to put together a video with both audio and visual balance is nothing short of amazing. A fantastic video and thank you!
As a massive fan of Skies of Arcadia: Legends, watching this video brought me so much joy. I'm glad that you enjoyed it seemingly as much as I did when I played it for the first time when I was 13 years old. I think you touched on all of the big points as to why I love it; it creates a feeling of adventure that I've never truly seen replicated, even now. It's the epitome of coziness in gaming for me.
Thank you so much for making this video. You've more than earned my subscription.
Just found out about your channel.
I get that you've been through a bit of an exposure burst, so I can't really call you a small creator anymore... But it doesn't matter. It's always nice to find a channel with a really personal feel.
Glad to be of support with my modest view.
Comments like this mean the world to me, thank you for your support!
@@Majuular I just finished watching this video from SuperEyepatchWolf about internet fame, growing disconnected from your audience and the audience itself growing disconnected from the creator as they grow.
It made me reflect on how much I don't want to lose the connection with the creators whose work I love so I felt like leaving that comment.
Watching your videos it feels like I'm back in high school nerding out in the backyard with that one friend that is as much into jrpg as I am.
Really special.
Absolutely amazing video and I think you hit the mail on the head with what makes this game great and some of its faults. I got my fingers crossed that we’ll get a port of remaster of it some day. If Baten Kaitos was able to, I think Skies should as well.
I was living in my first apartment over 10 years ago. I had gotta bit jaded with the daily grind and city life, and video games were boring me. Then my older brother gave me his GameCube games, I could play on the Wii. I tried several, they were fun. Then I played this game. I couldn't tear myself away from it. It was so different from the modern, high spec games I had gotten used to. It felt like I went back in time to when games were fun and whimsical, experimental, adventurous. I'm playing it again after seeing this❤
2 hour video on one of the most underrated JRPGs? Sign me up.
Agreed. This game is like your favorite show getting cancelled after one season
it's a good day when Majuular uploads, a very good day indeed
"You'd be amazed by the number of people who requested this game." Yeah, it's me, I'm people. Hit us with that Grandia II next big dog. This nostalgia train has no breaks!
This is one of my favorite games of all time, I love that you made a video about it!
I keep coming back in hopes of new videos, then I just watch several of his old ones again, loving every moment.
Seeing these characters in Valkyria Chronicles ALWAYS hyped us up! LOVE Skies of Arcadia!
I'm really glad you made this video. This was my favorite game of all time for a long time. It's such a beautiful experience.
I cant believe the multiple references to Vagrant Story in the review as a comparison. Its one of my favorite games and the fact that it gets almost no love baffles me. Noone I know IRL has even heard of it so hearing it here almost gave me whiplash. It would be super dope if you could cover it one day
Another banger my friend. Your quality consistency is insane 👍
Thanks boss!
@@Majuular how about review guardian's crusade?
You blew it out of the water dude, awesome to see such quality Skies content 👌
Cheers Wes, really appreciate that!
Thank you for bringing up the game's weird localization process.
_Skies of Arcadia_ belongs to a narrow category of beloved English-translated media: *"Done completely wrong, but to a very high standard."* (see also: the Ace Attorney franchise)
When SEGA inevitably greenlights a remaster, we'll hopefully get an 'accurate' translation to go alongside the original localization; then we can play the Galcian drinking game together.
This is such a hilarious and accurate way to put it. I love it.
Apparently a remaster is in the works.
Definitely the best RPG on the Dreamcast and one of the best on GameCube. It is also my sister’s favorite game of all time, she even wrote her own full walkthrough back then, with things I missed in all my own playthrough ^o^. She managed to 100% the GameCube version on her own.
Running downstairs to make popcorn for this 🏃♀️
My kitchen is on the 2nd floor and my bedroom is on the 1st floor so I'm running upstairs to make popcorn!
Literally sobbing. Thank you for this incredible dive and tribute to a game that ensnared my hope and imagination.
Skies of Arcadia is my favourite game ever. So much so that I created a homebrew D&D world set there that has had two campaigns that together have spanned over 13 years. There's something so charming and resonant about the six color-coded moons and cultures associated with them, the Gigas, the strong exploration theme, etc that really translate well to a TTRPG. The campaigns of course evolved into their own stories, but the backdrop of Arcadia is timeless and so special to me.
I skipped the last video because it was covering a game I was intent on playing, and I didn't want spoilers. I'm glad that isn't an issue this time! Let's do this!
Did I just replay the game by watching this?! Excellent retrospective on one of my favorite games of all time. What I would not pay/do to have a sequel made. By some other producer/director obviously...sad face.
Majuular you're the only CZcamsr ill watch reviews of for games I have never heard of, cared about, or plan on playing. Its a treat to watch your work and I think your humor matches my own pretty closely so I know im always in for a few chuckles along the way. A++++ sir
Skies of Arcadia (and Panzer Dragoon Saga) are my absolute favourite JRPGs of all time... both so creative and otherworldly.
Panzer Dragoon represents the beauty in desolate, desperate and melancholy.
Skies of Arcadia hope, wonder and adventure.
Rieko Kodama was a legend! She died far too young. RIP an absolute legend.
Thank you for this video! I'm loving it.
-A SEGA fan
1:37:01 I picked Gilder caused I liked him the best. Plus, his Aura of Denial("Your petty tricks won't work on us.") is super useful against status changes, and I love using The Claudia against enemies.
Hell yeah!!!
I loved playing Skies of Arcadia on the Dreamcast. For my younger self it was like diving in to a world of pirates and adventure. Thank you for bringing back such fond memories from my childhood. 🤩🤩🤩
Damn dude....this just came up randomly on autoplay on my TV and you took me on a nostalgic trip that re-awakened very sweet memories buried for more than a decade. Skies of Arcadia came out of nowhere for me as well and just like you, I was not expecting to fall in love with it as much as I did. Thank you for making this, man.🙏
Love this game, and you’ve done a wonderful tribute to it here. I do not remember the moon looking so janky on the “Prophecy” super move though 😂
That first section of the video got me emotional, the Dreamcast is so dear to me. It's still an awesome experience to have one today. I adore the console and many of its games. Thanks for giving that recognition to the career and talent of Rieko Kodama, she was such an important part of Sega and the industry at large, she deserves more recognition than she receives in the west.
Thank you so much for this fantastic retrospective. I played this game on the Gamecube, because I never owned a Dreamcast. I had almost forgotten about it.... I loved loved LOVED the airship battles. I don't think to this day I've ever experienced anything so cool when it comes to cinematic "naval" battles. Closest I've come is Assassin's Creed III/Black Flag.
I just got home and need to sleep, so I'll watch this tomorrow. I just wanted you to know how happy I am that you are reviewing my favorite jrpg of all time
Your videos are always so very well done and your audio balancing and editing is on point. Keep at it and your gonna hit that algorithm very very soon i hope.
Man I love this channel, all caught up on the videos and they constantly hit. What’s “comfy” is this channel
Skies of Arcadia symbolizes many things to me. What a video game can be, the optimism showmanship around the turn of the millennium, how much more enjoyable a lighthearted game is than an edgefest...but most of all, it symbolizes missed opportunities. I see it, and the Dreamcast with it, as a glimpse of a good future we missed out on. It's a picture of a simpler beauty that seems to have vanished in recent years, lost to the constant, ever-increasing pace of modern society and the abandonment of morals. It makes me wish I could see what was beyond the horizon, but in this world, that's just not to be.
Another banger of a video, Maj. It's really great to learn about this classic RPG that I've been aware of for such a long time, but never actually got to personally play. That copy of SoA Legends that I recently found is looking even shinier now thanks to your excellent review of everything it offers. Cheers! *raises a loqua*
Ah! Skies of Arcadia is my all time favorite game, it makes me so happy to see content being made for it. Thank you for this video! Now to go play Skies on my relic of a Dreamcast! :D
Watching this over the course of a couple of days was so nice. I think some recent games have gotten closer to the sense of exploration, intrigue, and awe that SOA created (the Switch Zelda games and Elden Ring are similar). **SOME***day we'll get another airship RPG like this. Someday.
If I had to guess, Vyse and Aika not pursuing more than friendship on account of a certain Fina is very El Hazard Wanderers which aired during the game's development.
Oh man, this game has a special place in my heart. It and Grandia 2 on Dreamcast took so much time of my childhood. Great video
Good times!
Those are the two games that define the Dreamcast (and really that whole generation) for me as well. Unfortunately, I caught Mononucleosis when those games came out. Serious enough that I was hospitalized and on IV. But on the bright side, there wasn’t much else for me to do, so I played it it all the way through. Grandia 2 had come out earlier, and so I picked that up as well and played that all the way through right after. Then I replayed all of Skies of Arcadia again.
As I said, good times.
I played those two games back to back. Though I loved Grandia 2, I underrated it at the time because I had just finished Skies. I've replied both games in the past 5 years and they are two of the best games ever.
You dropping One Winged Angel over the Prophecy sequence broke me. Twice. I rewound it and it shattered me again. Borderline asthma attack 😂
I just got into your channel about two weeks ago, and I am loving it! Never played this one, but I will still watch and love it like I do the other videos. Keep up the good work, sir!
So glad to see a video like this made, you did it justice.
Some of the best memories of my childhood is playing the gamecube port well past bedtime and getting completely absorbed by the sense of adventure and general atmosphere. I always return to it every few years for nostalgia, nothing else like it, I'm forever hoping it gets revisited someday
It even has a pretty good difficulty patch for dolphin emulator
Making the unpacking easier, brother. Great watch as usual.
If you like skies of arcadia I highly recommend the game Nostalgia or Winds of Nostalgia for the Nintendo DS. It took a ton of inspiration from this game, Final Fantasy, and Indiana Jones.
Interesting, first I've heard of it. Thank you for the rec!
I found Nostalgia to be rather formulaic and hollow, like a nostalgia based cash grab. It wasn't bad, but it lacked a lot of the heart of Skies of Arcadia.
Just played it because of that comment... I think it was pretty good myself, but a bit frustrating ! Because with some rewrites (expansions mostly, especially when it comes to the main cast) and rebalancing to its combat system, I'd say it could have been one of the best games on the DS.
As it stands, it's still a nice game, though. Thanks for bringing it up !
The dreamcast was the first console I saved my own money for and I was so amped up at how amazing the graphics were. I bought skies of Arcadia at launch as well and it is still one of my favorite RPG of all time.
Nice to find this video, my local used game shop has 2 GC copies in the case and I was interested, having never heard of it before. Too bad they were going for almost $300.
I unironically look forward to every Video on this channel since for me this dude has the perfect voice and humor combined so I just turn on a review to fell asleep with it and its just so relaxing and fun as well. After a week im like halfway through a Review and it feels like listening to a bedtime stories for adults :D. Hope he does a Review for Tales of Vesperia or Grandia II in the future :)
A new Majulaar video, *and* I finally get confirmation that I landed a job I’d really been hoping for…honestly I don’t know which is better, lol. Can’t wait to watch this when I get home tonight!
Yooo congrats!
Love the really indepth review and retrospective and length of the video, which I watch on the tv and just chill to, on this Sunday.
I've never had anyone to share my love of this game. It was my first JRPG and I remember getting to a certain point, like the executioner, then getting stuck. I'd restart and use my knowledge to get stronger for the confrontations. I kept being shocked by how long the game was and how endearing the world was. I'm glad to see there's a community that loves it too!
i remember getting this game on dreamcast because grandia 2 was sold out at gamestop. At the time, I was not prepared for such an awesome adventure. "Impossible is just a word people use to feel better about themselves after they have given up." -Vyse
Oh man, over an hour of content on my favorite game. You’ve made my work day!
Found this channel over the weekend and I have been CONSUMING your videos. Great work!
This was the first vid of you I saw and by now I almost watched your whole library. How can you go so in-depth and yet make it look so effortlessly? It's like listening to a friend who is dedicated to some niche RPG which we both played back on the days, but we're both on weed which makes your re-telling of the game oddly specific in some parts (which I love), super funny and yet you weave in the weight of the world now and then and engage in some fringe believe in some god or weird philosopical shit. On top you have a absolutely soothing voice. I love that shit, keep it going, my man! Greetings from Germany.
An all time classic and still one of my favourite jrpgs, oh and Vyse and Aika can be found as characters in Valkyria Chronicles.
Amazing work. Made my day! Really look forward to the next one.
Once again, you've curated a wonderful introspective. I truly appreciate your work!
really excited to watch this video, always glad to see an upload from you!
An adventure like no other, even now. Oh, to play this for the first time again
Excited to get to see this video at last! Also, as a note for a future reader. Yeah, Majuular really was putting out this high a quality of content all the way back with 26k subs! ;)
I found this video - and by extension, your channel - through my semi-semi-semi-semi-annual search for Skies of Arcadia content on CZcams. I first played this game when I was... 8? maybe 9? years old, when my mom got my siblings a Gamecube with a humble lineup of games which - rather uncharacteristically - featured Skies of Arcadia. I'd like to think she included it for me.
Ever since, no other JRPG made me feel quite the same. Maybe it's the natural appeal of Sky Pirates, or maybe just the young age I played the game at; either way, the sheer adventurous spirit, and the defined creative vision present in the game, just stuck with me. A lovable cast through and through, wonderful visuals, striking in just about every way.
I'd personally disagree that the OST does not reach the heights of its contemporaries or cousins, but one can't win them all.
The theme of Esparanza, the Delphinus Overworld theme, Ixa'Taka, Yafutoma Dawn, "Flashback", and the tragically left out of the official soundtrack release Theme of the Dark Rift (which to me, was one of the rare occasions of feeling genuine dread in a video game, despite or maybe because of the beautiful mid-section of the song which has this truly somber feel to it, as if to be at peace with death) are some of my favourite pieces of music in video games in general.
Story-wise, one thing that stands out to me is the entire plot around Galcian. I had not seen coming where the story would take us concerning him (maybe because I lacked or lack the literacy for something comparable), but one thing is for sure - from the start, there was something different about him, something that lasted past his very own presence in the game. It took me quite a long time to find the courage to actually try and see what happens if you turn around on that very first train chase and try to face him. That's how scared I was.
DeLoco, as annoying as he can get if you choose to keep his SFX-ridden wild antics on screen for a bit too long, definitely brought a murderous edge to the jester-type villain that sticks out to me; and as embarassing as it is to say, I actually did not recognize Belleza on my first playthrough, even though I should have. It really speaks to the game's ability to create a certain narrative openness to drag you along. I promise it wouldn't have happened if I was a little older though.
Also, Piastol was yougner me's absolutely favourite, I need not elaborate amirite guys?!
This video essay is probably what I've been waiting for in regards to SoA content. Thorough, personally informed opinions (I cannot imagine the utter guts to get through the ship battles like that brother, respect), and with some history to back it up to make one really appreciate the circumstances of the games creation and eventual elevation to a true cult classic.
I gotta say that your editing and pacing is spot on, man. You know when to move on or let the music or some silence speak to undermine a point. Your speed of narration is also just right.
I'm looking forward to discovering the rest of your content. Godspeed brother, and thank you for this video. With some Köttbullar at my side and a cold ale to aide me in my nostalgia, this was exactly what I needed right now. Much love!
Bro wtf ! I randomly found your channel searching for "skies of Arcadia". I was one of those teenagers that had a dreamcast and got to play this game... I remember wanting to tell everyone about it because it was so magical... Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
I never knew I needed nostalgic long format retrospective videos of my childhood video games... but here we are :)
Thank you !
Thank you for continuing to do this. It may be silly to say so, but it means a lot to me.
I've had this game on my emulator catalogue for so long. After seeing this, I'm thinking of giving it a chance.
Thank you for the retrospective!
Do it. This game's themes of positivity, connection, and exploration of the unknown are perfect after the darkness of the past few years. I can PROMISE you that this will be one of the best gaming related decisions of your life.
Great video, there's something about 2 hour long essays on games I have never heard of. Subscribed!
I am so EXCITED for this. I will watch and rewatch this a ton. Thanks Majuular!
arghh, can't wait till the next day to watch this, right now is too late at night. i couldn't believe a game like skies of arcadia exists, combining pirates and flying ships. i, as a one piece and castle in the sky lover, was so pleased to play it
I played this game as a teenage on the wii. What an absolute gem! The ship to ship combat was a surprise and so exciting for the time I played it.
I’m so excited to see you upload again. Another chance to see one of my favourite CZcamsrs cover a JRPG.
Glad I gave the video a watch, this will encourage my time spent playing it and Grandia on the switch. Your videos continue to prove to be a product of love, dedication, but most importantly a good place. I held off giving the game a go due to time and concerns of freezing to death but having watched it now I will definitely be making some proper time to play the game and get a full feel of the story since what has been covered here doesn't quite get everything you will find from the full experience. I hope you've been well, every time you upload I get excited to see some perspective on a game I'd probably not have the time otherwise look into.
Excellent video as always! Your pacing on this video was especially great! I just intended to take a look-see before bed and ended up watching the whole thing... whoopsie.
The history and context of the game's development was a good inclusion and I very much appreciated it as one who missed out on both the Dreamcast and this game.
A lot of the later environments seemed quite interesting. The whole Dark Rift and Deep Sky sections were especially interesting to me and I wish more games captured those kind of vibes more. Only games I can think of are kinda sorta XC2 for a bit and Sunless Sea/Skies. Just from this video I can really *feel* the sense of adventure the game emanates and I want more games with that kinda spirit dammit lol. I guess trying this game out for myself will have to suffice.
On a different note I gotta say "Prophecy" is indeed the corniest shit and I couldn't stop laughing at how perfectly goofy it was. Also thank you for the Seinfeld reference and the inclusion of Gizmo and one-eyed kitty (idk their name but they are very cute). I expect more cats and Seinfeld in future videos :P
Man, I forgot about Sunless Sea but that's actually a great comparison in terms of atmosphere for that "deep sky" part of the game. Thanks for all the kind words dude, glad you liked it :)
PSO Music in the Intro and getting reminded of hanging out online with random people 15+ years ago. Fun times.
I never had a chance to play, but got a lot of secondhand nostalgia hearing it. Thank you for the support!
I just wanted to say thank you for making such a well-written review of one my all time favorite games. I played Skies of Arcadia Legends as a kid, and man, the music still makes my heart swell. Thank you for also putting Rieko Kodama in the spotlight. She was a damn brillant creator and she will be missed. I'm so glad you enjoyed this game and welcome to the fandom!
Thank you for reviewing possibly my favorite childhood game. I'm glad you did it so much justice, even pointing out the parts that are goofy as hell. This game is one of the reasons I'll keep my Nintendo Wii around until modern displays literally cannot interface with it any more.